488 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



relative values of Vilmorin, Mangold, Zehringer and Kleinwanzlebener. 

 Beets planted May 20 contained more sugar in the juice and juice 

 of purer qualit}' than beets planted either before or after that date. 

 Not much variation occurred in the sugar content and purity of the 

 juice of beets harvested at different dates between September 18 and 

 November 9. Analyses and other data, such as dates of planting and 

 harvesting, character of soil and of the fertilizers employed, etc., are 

 given for 155 samples of sugar beets grown by as many different 

 farmers throughout the State. The average weight of the capped 

 beets grown was 14.9 oz., sugar in the juice 12.77 per cent, puritj^ of 

 the juice 76.15 per cent. The result of the season's work is considered 

 favorable and the work will be continued. 



Sugar cane — field and laboratory results for ten years, W. C. 

 Stubbs {Lon'ixUina IStax. Btil. 59^ 2. scr., pp. 281^.-337). — This ])ulletin 

 covers experimental work on the preparation of the soil, kind and 

 quantity of cane to plant, proper fertilizers, and rational modes of 

 cultivation. Attention is called to drainage as the first and most 

 important essential in the preparation of the soil. Surface drainage 

 is usually practiced in Louisiana. The merits of tile drainage are 

 pointed out; but owing to the filling of the tiles b}^ silt natural condi- 

 tions are against its success in the locality. 



During the 10 years' work at the station, foreign varieties of cane 

 from nearly every sugar-producing countr}' on the globe have been 

 tested. Owing to the great difference in climate, the trials have not 

 been satisfactory. The trials of seedlings are much more promising, 

 and 3 such have been found of value. 



In trials covering 6 years of plant and first and second year stubble 

 for seed, purple plant has given slightly the best results as regards 

 sugar content, while striped first-year stubble has given the largest 

 yield in tonnage. When the results of both purple and striped varie- 

 ties are combined, first-^^ear stubble leads in tonnage, followed by 

 second-year stub])le. The inference drawn from the results of this 

 work is that good stubble cane is fully the equal, if not the superior, 

 of plant cane for seed. 



It is estimated that one-sixth of the entire crop of cane in the State 

 is used for planting. Experiments carried on for 13 years to test the 

 availability of the less valuable upper third for this purpose are sum- 

 marized, showing the results of chemical analyses of cane grown con- 

 tinuously^ from tops, middles, and butts. The results show ])ut little 

 difference as regards the value of the different portions of the cane 

 for propagation, and the use of the upper third of the cane, which 

 possesses little or no sugar value, but serves rather to increase the 

 molasses output, is recommended from an economical standpoint. 



In trials to determine the influence of planting large, medium. :ind 

 small canes, selected continuously from plantings of large, medium, 

 and small canes, respectively, the results show diminished yields from 



